Work and family life balance: an Islamic response

• Main Authors: Mhd. Sarif, Suhaimi, Ismail, Yusof
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: BP2035 Life skills. Coping skills. Everyday living skills
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/22685/1/239-243.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/22685/

The increasing need to finance the modern life has called women to participate in the workforce. The issue of work and family balance arise when married women or traditional mothers also joined the workforce. When working mothers joined the workforce, there is dilemma to create a balance between family obligations and organizational commitments. The work-family balance includes time balance (equal time devoted to work and family), involvement balance (equal involvement in work and family), and satisfaction balance (equal satisfaction with work and family). The study evaluates the concept of work and family life balance from an Islamic perspective. Both working and family life are integral in human’s principal duty, which is to worship Allah (by executing the tasks as servant and vicegerent of Allah on this worldly life). The ultimate aim of life is to gain true happiness (victory/ al falah) in the Hereafter. The study suggests that both institutions (work and family) if submit to the teaching of Islam, can ultimately accomplish the well being of people and society and the pleasure of Allah.